herbanrenewal

one more thing that used to confuse me - each cabin grade has options - the lowest advertised price in usually a guarantee interior, with options like selecting your own cabin a higher price. Since i never book a guarantee I know the advertised low price is not what i will be paying.

it was either Breakaway or Dawn. I know it wasnt Viva or Prima.It was an older ship with dining on two decks. If you had a reservation you went downstairs to lower deck. Reservations definitely not needed but availble.

I've been on some cruises within the last year where reservations had a separate line and priority seating, and some where it made no difference. If i cant book before, I ask on first day if i can make reservations for rest of cruise.

A lot has been said regarding emergency situation preparedness. With international travel especially having emergency contact info readily available can be imperative. After much thought i decided to get an emergency alert bracelet that lets you provide contacts if you are unable to. There's lots of info regarding travel insurance - not just the cancellation type but medical care, evacuation, etc,. Its so important to know just WHAT is covered by your policy. Contacting your family if you are unable to communicate is also important. Amazon.com: VNOX Free Engraving-Medical Alert ID Silicone Stainless Steel Adjustable Bracelet,Fits Adults &,White : Health & Household

I'm in my mid 70s and frequently travel alone - keeping in touch with my sons is the primary reason i get unlimited wifi. But I honestly never gave a thought to an emergency situation where I could not communicate. I'll be much more aware of what i take with me on excursions - Ive been known to disembark with a water bottle and my phone. I'll take medical info and insurance paperwork with me on future excursions.

I'm booked for this itinerary for Nov 2025, total price $6,164.14, but thats for a solo inside.

I've seen more mention of travel medical insurance on seniors threads but i think the 80yo stroke patient is a prime example of why medical travel with evacuation and repatriation coverage is a good idea. As a septuagenarian who travels solo (including booked on the Dawn to Africa next year) I've carried annual travel insurance for medical but i admit i never considered it before i hit retirement age. People tend to worry more about trip cancellation without giving thought to the what-ifs involved in medical emergencies.

For your next leg of trip cancel internet now. Buy again next week on second day of cruise - not only cheaper then, but ideal way to use OBC. I never buy internet package pre-cruise anymore, since I learned that on the second or third day its considerably cheaper. It will show up as refundable OBC (not returned to credit card) and you can pick up the cash at customer service. I order cagney's filets in main dining room to use OBC if i have any extra.

I'm on a April 27 cruise, arrive in Southampton May 12. Most of my advice was that there's a fair chance of making it to Heathrow, but less likely to Gatwick. I've opted to stay near Gatwick overnight and fly home in the morning.

Not specifically a cruise question but does anyone know how long it takes to get approval of Global Entry and TSA pre-check renewal? I applied in August and my application still says Pending almost 7 months later.

The cava brut sparkling wine on board isn't that great (but I drink the one that comes with my latitudes specialty restaurant dinner. Their Ventura cava brut is around $11-13 from my store). Since I like wine with dinner but otherwise never drink alcohol I decline the FAS package and save a couple hundred in taxes and fees. Someone mentioned San Juan - there's a Supermercado about 1 mile or so from port that has a Segura Viudas cava brut for around $17, with corkage fee, $32 total cost, for a wine I liked much better. Since I'm not paying the fees from the free package I figure this is cheaper, and tastes better. BTW I bring my own champagne stopper with me and have them cork bottle as soon as they've poured so that the bottle isn't flat before the end of a meal. When they open for second glass you hear the pop like first opened if you use a good champagne stopper. Why do people who are supposed to know wines leave an open bottle of bubbly for an hour or more at dinner?

My neighbor, spouse and two teens booked with two different rooms. When they got their flights two were on one flight, two on another, from two different Washington DC airports.

I did the St Lucia snorkeling catamaran today - unlike Tortola coral is still alive, and a lot more fish. If I were only doing one I'd do the St Lucia snorkel, though the crew on Tortola snorkel made that enjoyable.

If booking for an NCL beach excursion check details. Some do not include chair and umbrella. i love snorkeling and enjoyed treasure island excursion from Tortola. Last time I was there was 25 years ago and the lack of coral and sponges and decrease in number of fish was startling. Pleasant swim but not much to see. The catamaran and crew however were fantastic. Interesting to see difference in crowd- a lot more under 60 crowd with this Valentine’s Day cruise than last weeks cruisers.. A lot more early drinking. Even Hudson’s seemed noisier at dinner. This cruise i m staying onboard more- when most folks get off to see ports the pools are empty. Better than an At sea day since the ship is relatively empty.

Totally agree. Great review